How to sew fabric gift bags

Good things come in small (handmade) packages like this little gift bag by Jennie Jones, made with one fat quarter. Read on to find out how to make them…Ah Christmas wrapping… whether you love it or loathe it, we’ve found the perfect way to give it a new twist these year! These fabric gift bags are a lovely way to customise your gifts this year and use up some of your favourite prints from your fabric stash at the same time…

Note

Cutting the fabric

Step two: Take one piece and press the interfacing on the wrong side (WS). This will be the outer bag.

Step three: Fold the outer bag fabric in half widthways with WS together and draw two boxes in the corners along the folded edge, 5cm (2in) wide and 4cm (15⁄8in) deep.

Step four: Cut out the boxes along the drawn lines through both layers of the folded fabric.

Step five: Repeat this with the other piece of fabric, which will be used for the bag lining.

Adding the button loop

Step one: Fold the elastic in half to make a loop then pin the ends to the right side (RS) of the back of the outer piece of fabric, positioning it centrally across the top edge. The ends of the elastic should match up with the raw edges of the fabric.

Step two: Stitch across the ends.

Joining the outer to the lining

Step one: Open out the outer and lining pieces of fabric and place them RS facing.

Step two: Stitch along both of the top edges.

Step three: Open out the fabrics and match the seams together.

Step four: Sew together along the side edges, leaving the cut out boxes in the corners unstitched. Leave an 8cm (3in) opening in the centre of one side unstitched for turning your bag RS out later.

Making the boxed corners

Step one: Working on one corner of the outer fabric, open out the corner, matching the side seams with the bottom fold and press it flat.

Step two: Pin across the corner then stitch.

Step three: Repeat this to box the other corner of the outer fabric and the two corners of the lining fabric in the same way.

Step four: Turn the bag RS out through the turning gap then slip stitch it closed.

Step five: Press the bag well.

Finishing off

Step one: Pinch the sides together 4cm (15⁄8in) from the side seams at the top, then pin and press into place.

Step two: At the top of each of the gathers, work a few holding stitches with your machine. This will hold these sides in place to give the bag some shape and rigidity.

Step three: Fold the top of the bag over then stitch the button into place to match up with the end of the loop. Now fill with treats!

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